U.S. patent application number 14/963066 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-09 for screen-edge stylus retainer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tuan Quoc Dam, Timothy Uys. Invention is credited to Tuan Quoc Dam, Timothy Uys.
Application Number | 20160161986 14/963066 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56094283 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160161986 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dam; Tuan Quoc ; et
al. |
June 9, 2016 |
SCREEN-EDGE STYLUS RETAINER
Abstract
A stylus mount includes first and second orthogonal screen edge
clips and a stylus retainer associated with at least one of the
first and second clips. The screen edge clips are attachable to a
screen edge via at least one of a snap-fit, interference fit, and
friction fit. The stylus retainer comprises an elongated channel to
accommodate insertion of a stylus therein via longitudinal
insertion into the length of the channel and via lateral insertion
into a depth of the channel. Openings in the screen edge clips
provide access to controls along a screen edge. A web extends
between the first and second orthogonal screen edge clips with an
adhesive, a tackifier, or a high-friction pad disposed across at
least a portion of the web.
Inventors: |
Dam; Tuan Quoc; (Round Rock,
TX) ; Uys; Timothy; (Leander, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dam; Tuan Quoc
Uys; Timothy |
Round Rock
Leander |
TX
TX |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56094283 |
Appl. No.: |
14/963066 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62088995 |
Dec 8, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/220.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 13/025 20130101;
G06F 1/1607 20130101; G06F 2200/1632 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16; F16M 13/02 20060101 F16M013/02; G06F 3/0354 20060101
G06F003/0354 |
Claims
1. A stylus mount comprising first and second orthogonal screen
edge clips and a stylus retainer associated with at least one of
the first and second clips.
2. The stylus mount of claim 1 wherein one or more of the screen
edge clips is configured to be attachable to a screen edge via at
least one of a snap-fit, interference fit, and friction fit.
3. The stylus mount of claim 1, wherein the stylus retainer
comprises an elongated channel configured to accommodate insertion
of a stylus therein via longitudinal insertion into the length of
the channel.
4. The stylus mount of claim 3, wherein the elongated channel is
further configured to accommodate insertion of a stylus therein via
lateral insertion into a depth of the channel.
5. The stylus mount of claim 1, further comprising a web extending
between the first and second orthogonal screen edge clips.
6. The stylus mount of claim 5, further comprising at least one of
an adhesive, a tackifier, and a high-friction pad disposed across
at least a portion of the web.
7. The stylus mount of claim 1, further comprising a stylus clip
engagement feature configured to positively engage a complimentary
feature of a pocket clip associated with a stylus.
8. The stylus mount of claim 7, wherein the stylus clip engagement
feature is formed on an exterior wall of a channel of the stylus
retainer.
9. The stylus mount of claim 1, wherein at least one of the edge
clips defines one or more apertures therethrough to provide access
to computer controls positioned along an edge of a screen over
which the edge clip is positioned.
10. The stylus mount of claim 9, wherein the one or more apertures
formed in at least one of the edge clips serves to retain the edge
clip to the screen via engagement with one or more computer control
features along the edge of the screen.
11. The stylus mount of claim 1, wherein the edge clips are
alternately repositionable at opposed corners of a screen to
selectively position a stylus retainer along one of a top edge and
a side edge of a screen.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional
application No. 62/088,995 filed Dec. 8, 2014 and titled
"Screen-Edge Stylus Retainer" which is incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention generally relates to computer stylus
retainers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Tablet computers and other touch screen computers can accept
screen surface inputs, e.g., surface strokes or point contacts via
finger or stylus movements.
[0004] Various mechanical means have been proposed to associate a
stylus with a screen, e.g., tethers and stylus wells formed in the
computer/screen body. As tablet manufacturers compete to produce
thinner, smaller, and lighter tablets, prior stylus wells or other
stylus retainers are increasingly being omitted from the tablet
computer. Losing and replacing the stylus are common complaints of
tablet consumers.
[0005] Accordingly, improvements are sought in associating a stylus
with a tablet computer or other touch screen device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] While the way that the present invention addresses the
disadvantages of the prior art will be discussed in greater detail
below, in general, the present invention provides a stylus retainer
attachable along two edges of a computer screen.
[0007] One aspect of the invention features, in some embodiments,
first and second orthogonal screen edge clips or clasps and a
stylus retainer associated with at least one of the first and
second clips.
[0008] In some embodiments, one or more of the screen edge clips is
configured to be attachable to a screen edge via at least one of a
snap-fit, interference fit, friction fit, magnets, reusable contact
adhesive and the like.
[0009] In some embodiments, the stylus retainer comprises an
elongated channel to accommodate insertion of a stylus therein via
at least one of longitudinal insertion into the length of the
channel and lateral insertion into a depth of the channel. In some
embodiments, the channel accommodates both longitudinal and lateral
insertion of a stylus.
[0010] In some embodiments, the stylus retainer comprises a stylus
clip engagement feature configured to positively engage a
complimentary feature of a "pocket clip" associated with a stylus.
In some embodiments, the stylus clip engagement feature is formed
on an exterior wall of a channel of the stylus retainer.
[0011] In some embodiments, at least one of the edge clips defines
one or more apertures therethrough to provide access to computer
controls positioned along the edge of the screen over which the
edge clip is positioned. In some embodiments, the one or more
apertures formed in at least one of the edge clips helps to retain
the edge clip to the screen via engagement with computer control
features along the edge of the screen.
[0012] Another advantage of the present invention is the various
possibilities for the placement of the stylus retainer relative to
the screen. For example, in some embodiments, the edge clips are
alternately repositionable at opposed corners of a screen to
selectively position a stylus retainer along one of a top edge,
bottom edge, and a side edge of a screen.
[0013] In some embodiments, a web or spanner extends between the
first and second edge clips to engage a rear surface of a screen
and prevent splaying of the edge clips.
[0014] In some embodiments, a tethering system includes a
retractable tether that ensures the stylus remains associated with
the screen.
[0015] In some embodiments, a tethering system includes a
retractable tether that ensures the stylus remains associated with
the screen.
[0016] In some embodiments, a reusable contact adhesive allows the
tablet edge clips to be repeatedly removed and repositioned. In
some cases, the contact adhesive can be refreshed, e.g., through
rinsing with cold water.
[0017] External mounting of the stylus allows the tablet computer
to make full use of the interior space for other components, such
as CPU, heat sink, graphics processor and RAM storage. In areas
where there is high heat, the embodiment protects the stylus and
user from excessive heat. The embodiment also allows the user to
safely store the stylus for transport, e.g., utilizing a pocket
clip nib.
[0018] The embodiment also allows quick access to the stylus by the
snap in/out feature of the channel as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 8 and
FIG. 9.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] A more complete understanding of the present invention may
be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when
considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference
numerals refer to similar elements throughout the Figures, and
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a stylus retainer
according to one embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the stylus retainer of
FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the stylus retainer of
FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective front view of the stylus
retainer of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective rear view of the stylus
retainer of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective front view of the stylus of
FIG. 1 positioned for attachment to a screen corner;
[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective rear view of the stylus of
FIG. 1 positioned for attachment to a screen corner;
[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective front view of the stylus of
FIG. 1 installed on a screen corner; and
[0028] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective rear view of the stylus of
FIG. 1 installed on a screen corner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The following description is of exemplary embodiments of the
invention only, and is not intended to limit the scope,
applicability or configuration of the invention. Rather, the
following description is intended to provide a convenient
illustration for implementing various embodiments of the invention.
As will become apparent, various changes may be made in the
function and arrangement of the elements described in these
embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as
set forth herein. It should be appreciated that the description
herein may be adapted to be employed with alternatively configured
devices having different shapes, components, attachment mechanisms
and the like and still fall within the scope of the present
invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for
purposes of illustration only and not of limitation.
[0030] Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" is intended to indicate that a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention.
The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" in various places in the specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0031] In the following description, certain terminology is used to
describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the
invention. For example, the term "edge clip" as described herein
may include, but is not necessarily limited to, a clip sized and
configured for attachment to a respective screen edge. The edge
clip and/or other stylus retainer components may be constructed
from a wide variety of materials including, but not necessarily
limited to, plastic, aluminum, composites, spring steel, and the
like.
[0032] In accordance with various aspects of the present invention,
a stylus retainer may be used to conveniently secure a stylus to a
computer screen. That being said, the present invention is
described herein in the exemplary context of a tablet computer.
Similarly, "screen" as used herein, generally may be construed to
mean any computer display device.
[0033] FIGS. 1-9 illustrate various views of a stylus retainer
device for use with a tablet or computer screen. With reference to
FIGS. 1-9, a stylus retainer 100 includes two orthogonal screen
edge clips 102 and 104 configured to engage two screen edges
forming a corner of a screen 101. A web 108 or other spanner
extends between the two edge clips 102 and 104 to prevent splaying
and separation of the edge clips from the screen 101. A stylus
channel 106 extends from one of the edge clips 102 and 104 to
receive a stylus (not shown). The stylus channel 106 is open at
both ends to allow for longitudinal insertion of a stylus. The
stylus channel 106 is also open along the length of the channel,
e.g., with a C-shaped cross-section, to allow for lateral insertion
of a stylus. Alternatively, a stylus with a pocket clip can be
clipped to the channel side-walls at either end of the channel. In
some embodiments, a pocket clip nib feature 114 extends from a back
wall of the channel 106 positively engage a pocket clip, e.g., for
more secure retention of the stylus during transport and computer
use.
[0034] Any number of apertures (e.g., 110, 112), recesses, or other
features may be defined on the edge clips to accommodate or
positively engage any number of screen edge features, e.g.,
controls, buttons, switches, ports, and the like.
[0035] To install stylus retainer 100, edge clips 102 and 104 are
aligned with respective screen edges at a corner of screen 101 and
pressed into place. Edge clips 102 and 104 may engage the screen
edges by at least one of snap-fit, interference fit, friction fit,
magnets reusable contact adhesive, or other suitable surface
contact means. Stylus retainer 100 may be installed to position a
stylus along a top, bottom or side edge adjacent a selected corner.
Stylus retainer 100 is removable and repositionable or may be more
permanently fixed.
[0036] During use, the stylus may be retrieved from stylus retainer
106 and may be stowed in the retainer via insertion longitudinally
or laterally into a channel of the stylus retainer. Alternatively,
the stylus may be clipped to the retainer, e.g., via engagement of
a pocket clip on the stylus with stylus retainer 106.
[0037] Accordingly, the present invention provides a simple,
low-profile, repositionable stylus retainer for use with a
wide-range of tablets and other touch screen devices. Similarly,
while the present invention has been described herein as an
apparatus and means for retaining a stylus, the present invention
may be readily used with any number of writing instruments,
computer peripherals, tools or other similar devices now known or
hereafter developed.
[0038] Finally, while the present invention has been described
above with reference to various exemplary embodiments, many
changes, combinations and modifications may be made to the
exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the
present invention. For example, the various components may be
implemented in alternative ways. These alternatives can be suitably
selected depending upon the particular application or in
consideration of any number of factors associated with the
operation of the device. In addition, the techniques described
herein may be extended or modified for use with other types of
devices. These and other changes or modifications are intended to
be included within the scope of the present invention.
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